first time incubating

[MROO]

Congratulations! That's a great first hatch. Definitely would love to see pictures. Picture tax That's a good one @MROO

I can't take credit for that one. I've been "ordered" to pay Picture Taxes too many times to take credit for it ... but it sure is a great "requirement!"

 

[Tex452]

I bought two nurture right 360 incubators, I got some eggs from my son leghorn rooster, LH hens, RIR hens and black Orpington hens no more than three days old when sit.
I got some from a friend RIR rooster on brown LH hens, the ratio is one rooster to 27 hens, this concerns me.
I’m trying the dry hatch method, it’s humid here in Texas and my humidity doesn’t go below 35% in the incubator, it usually stays around 40%.
I need all of the advice I can get.

 

[Tex452]

My chicks started hatching on day 19, I had two hatch, I’m fixing to start day 21 and have 10-11 chicks hatched out, and they are very healthy, so my so that they are moving around so much that I’m afraid they might prevent the others from hatching, my humidity is at 85% inside the incubator, I’m afraid to open it too soon and lose the rest that haven’t hatched.
This is using 100% dry hatch method, I never added any water.
Do I have anything to worry about?
I would appreciate any advice.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Since you already have a bunch out, you are probably OK.
Don't worry about the others playing soccer with their siblings. Keep it closed till they are done. There can be many reasons for the protracted hatch. Variable size eggs, different storage times, warm and cool spots in the incubator, etc..

 

[Tex452]

Since you already have a bunch out, you are probably OK.
Don't worry about the others playing soccer with their siblings. Keep it closed till they are done. There can be many reasons for the protracted hatch. Variable size eggs, different storage times, warm and cool spots in the incubator, etc..

I’ve had 18 hatch so far, two are pipping, one is not.
Right now I’m at 85% hatched.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That means you did something right, if not everything.

 

[C Siena]

That means you did something right, if not everything.

Well, the rooster/s helped.

 

[Tex452]

I have 20 chicks

That means you did something right, if not everything.

out of 21 fertile eggs, but one is a little puney, I did have to help it out.
It’s sitting up now.
Just 100% dry hatch, I did not candle until day 18, I never opened it before then, and I didn’t add one drop of water throughout.
I’m a believer.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have 20 chicks

out of 21 fertile eggs, but one is a little puney, I did have to help it out.
It’s sitting up now.
Just 100% dry hatch, I did not candle until day 18, I never opened it before then, and I didn’t add one drop of water throughout.
I’m a believer.

What is the average ambient temperature where you live?
Do you use a calibrated hygrometer or a scale?

 

[Tex452]

What is the average ambient temperature where you live?
Do you use a calibrated hygrometer or a scale?

No I do not use a calibrated hygrometer or a scale.
Our humidity is high outside, it will go from the 50’s during the day and up to 100% at night.
My incubator ranged from 35-50%, when the chicks started hatching it jumped to 88%.
The chick I helped died, so I have 19 live chicks making it a 90% hatch rate.
I was very surprised, I have another batch that will go into lockdown Monday, and will set another full batch this evening or tomorrow morning.